Thousands of authors including Kazuo Ishiguro, Philippa Gregory and Richard Osman have published an “empty” book to protest against AI firms using their work without permission. The organiser of the book, Ed Newton-Rex, a composer and campaigner for protecting artists’ copyright, said the AI industry was “built on stolen work … taken without permission or payment”. “It is not in any way unreasonable to expect AI companies to pay for the use of authors’ books,” said Blackman. View image in fullscreen The composer Ed Newton-Rex, who organised the book, said the AI industry was ‘built on stolen work’. It proposes letting AI firms use copyright-protected work without the owner’s permission – unless the owner has signalled that they want to opt out of the process.

Source: The Guardian March 11, 2026 01:02 UTC